Erosion of inflatable penile prosthesis reservoir into neobladder

Erosion of the reservoir into surrounding tissues is a rare complication after inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation.

To present a new case and a review of the literature including discussion of pathogenesis, risk factors, and management options.

We present the case of a 75-year-old male who underwent placement of an IPP for postoperative erectile dysfunction with a history of bladder cancer requiring radical cystoprostatectomy and Studer neobladder. Six years after IPP placement, he presented with recurrent febrile urinary tract infection that seemed to be precipitated by cycling of his penile prosthesis. Cystoscopy and cross-sectional computed tomography imaging demonstrated erosion of the inflatable penile prosthesis reservoir into the neobladder.

Patient underwent open removal of the IPP reservoir and cystorrhaphy with a plan for future prefascial reimplantation of an IPP reservoir.

In patients with a history of abdomino-pelvic surgery or radiation therapy, the retroperitoneal space may be extremely fibrotic and the transversalis fascia may have thickened. Potential intraoperative complications as well as reservoir erosion may be avoided by using a two-piece device or ectopic reservoir placement. Management options for reservoir erosion include explantation of the entire device as well as reservoir removal with salvage of remaining components.